Self-Advocacy for High School Students

* Understand your needs and be able to communicate them to others.

* Take an active role in leading or facilitating meetings with teachers and parents to discuss education plans/accommodations.

* Meet with your academic advisor to discuss future plans/classes/schedule.

* Meet with teachers during study hall.

* Sometimes students are reticent to approach teachers. If this is the case with your child, encourage him to either go with a friend or go to someone else in the department with whom he is are more comfortable.

* Ask questions when information is unclear via e-mail or in person.

* Ask for teacher or peer copies of class notes.

* Form study groups because it will help you stay focused on the material by engaging with your classmates. Also, if you learn best by listening rather than reading, study groups are a great option.

* Attend review sessions for exams and go prepared with questions.

Self-Advocacy for College Students

* Understand your needs and be able to communicate them to others.

* Contact the Disability Services Office/Student Support Services to get available academic accommodations and inform professors.

* Meet with your academic advisor to discuss future plans/classes/schedule. Make sure to set an appointment at least twice a year; do it well before you have to sign up for the next semester and mark it on a calendar.

* Read reviews about your professors, examine syllabi ahead of time, and use the drop/add period to determine if classes are a good fit.

* Go to office hours to meet with professors/TA’s (or use e-mail):

* To review work before it’s handed in.

* To review assessments that have been graded.

* To clarify confusing concepts.

* Develop mentoring relationships with a professor, an advisor, or another adult with whom you have a good rapport.

* Utilize the writing center.

* Form study groups because it will help you stay focused on the material by engaging with your classmates. Also, if you learn best by listening rather than reading, study groups are a great option.

* Attend review sessions for exams and go prepared with questions.

Final Thoughts

We hope these strategies inspire you to get the conversation started about self-advocacy with your children. It is an invaluable skill to have, and though speaking up and taking action may not come naturally to every student, anyone can improve with practice and experience!

If you are looking for a student-friendly way to introduce self-advocacy to your children in high school or college, you can check out this interactive video by the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth and share it with them. Click here to watch it. 

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